Tent collapses during PM's rally injured more than 32 persons

20 injured after tent collapses during PM's rally
After addressing the rally, the PM went to the hospital to visit the injured. (PTI File Photo)

A makeshift tent collapsed during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's rally in West Bengal's Midnapore district on Monday, injuring at least 20 people, a police official said.

Officials added the tent was erected next to the main entrance of the rally venue to shelter people from the rain.

Many BJP supporters were seen crowding inside the tent during the rally. The prime minister could be heard asking them to be careful, officials said.

According to officials, the prime minister saw the tent collapsing while he was in the middle of his speech. He immediately instructed SPG personnel standing next to him to look after the people and attend to the injured.

The local BJP unit as well as Modi's personal staff, including his doctor and SPG personnel, swung into action to help the injured, officials said.

Most of the injured have been admitted to the hospital, an official said, adding that the number could rise.

After addressing the rally, the PM went to the hospital to visit the injured.

Earlier Midnaopre ground was packed to its capacity. Despite rain and the commotion, around 40,000 people came to the ground to listen to the Prime Minister. It is at this moment that PM Modi taunted West Bengal CM and said, ‘Didi, are you watching this’.

The All-India Trinamool Congress (AITC) on Monday slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his claims at a rally in West Bengal's Midnapore and alleged that the rally was attended by mostly people from neighboring states, like Jharkhand, Orissa.

However, in a point-by-point rebuttal to PM Modi, TMC said that the BJP should not play with fire, accusing the party of being a syndicate that peddles religious extremism, lynching, and corruption.

In a statement issued on the website, Trinamool Congress listed five 'Fake versus Fact' to counter Modi's claim and asked the BJP to try as they may to harass them with their agencies, but they will not bow down to any syndicate.

"Bengal is for all. It is the cultural capital of the world. The BJP leader’s speech proved that they have no development agenda at all. He came and gave a political bhashan. The net result is ZERO, ZERO, ZERO".

Meanwhile, TMC also expressed concern over those who were injured at the rally and said all assistance and help will be provided to the injured. "The organisers of this rally must take responsibility for this lapse," it said.